Malawi floods: Displaces 641 families in Zomba, destroy crops

A total of 641 households in T/A Mwambo, Zomba have been rendered homeless, their maize fields and houses destroyed after Phalombe River swelled due to continuous rains which have been falling since 5th January.

Villages hardly hit by the floods are those from Group Village Heads Magoli and Kathebwe along the boundary between Zomba and Phalombe districts, just a few kilometers away from the inland drainage Lake Chilwa.

Rivers such as Namadzi, Thondwe and Sunudzi are the ones which supply its waters to Phalombe River in the area.

According to an assessment report which Nyasa Timeshad seen from the district agricultural office, about 268 hectares of maize crop and chilies have been swept away by the stray water after damaging a dyke which the villagers built last year to prevent from floods.

The displaced perspons seek refuge at Step to Jesus Church in Zomba

The affected families are seeking refuge at Step to Jesus Church in the area and authorities have called for assistance from well-wishers to assist the flood victims.

“We are in dire need of assistance for the flood victims. You can see that there is no hygiene at this place such as safe drinking water and toilets, and also they require clothes, blankets and food.

“Government alone cannot manage to deal with the emergency hence the call for help,” said Zomba District Commissioner Harry Phiri at the site.

He expressed fears that the remaining part of the dyke could as well fall down if the rains continue, describing it as too weak to contain the water from the river.

The annual rains which accompany the southern hemisphere’s summer often spell misery for many in a country where homes are often built with mud and grass.

The floods have swept through parts of Malawi, killing three people and and nearly 5 000 households have been ruined.

“As of yesterday, three people have died from the disasters,” said Gift Mafuleka, deputy director of the department of disaster management.

The government has launched a relief effort to provide affected districts with food supplies, blankets and plastic sheeting.